Thunderstorms Topple Power Lines in Washington State

October 26, 2014

(SEATTLE) — Around 140,000 customers lost power overnight in Washington state after strong thunderstorms swept over the Pacific Northwest.

Energy officials blame high winds for knocking down wet, heavy tree branches — and sometimes the entire tree — onto power lines. According to the NWS, wind gusts were up to 61 miles per hour in the Seattle area.

As of Sunday morning, there were at least 109,518 customers still without power in Washington state. In Oregon, there were at least 19,841 customers without power.